Rajasthan school infra in focus again as 7-year-old crushed in gate collapse
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The death of Arbaz Khan, a class 1 student from a nearby boys' school, came after seven children, aged 7 to 13, died in a school building collapse in Jhalawar's Piplodi village Friday.
Arbaz had gone to meet his sisters - Madhu, 14, and Raju, 12 - after class when the stone-laden top beam and adjoining pillar suddenly gave way. His mother fainted on hearing the news and was hospitalised. Arbaz belonged to the Manganiyar community and had lost his father during the Covid pandemic.
Two others - teacher Ashok Kumar Soni, 40, and five-year-old student Priya. Soni - suffered injuries.
Villagers staged protests, accusing authorities of ignoring repeated warnings. Locals said the gate was damaged by a heavy vehicle two years ago and had been left unrepaired.
Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar called the collapse "unfortunate" and urged stepped-up inspections during the monsoon. Following the Jhalawar tragedy, orders were issued for urgent structural reviews in all state-run schools.
Rajasthan HC took suo motu cognisance of the deteriorating school infrastructure. Justice Anoop Dhand cited a survey that showed 22% of schools in 12 states, including Rajasthan, are in dilapidated condition, with cracks in 31% of buildings.
Opposition slammed the BJP-led govt. "His irresponsible statements are shameful. He should step down immediately," said Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, demanding Dilawar's resignation.
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Student safety fears spiked in Udaipur district after three school buildings partially collapsed within 48 hours. Ceiling plaster fell during classes Monday in Naya Rajpura's govt school in Vallabhnagar, forcing teachers to evacuate 64 students. On Sunday, a wall collapsed at Rupawali and a ceiling gave way at Pandya Wada School in Rishabhdev.
In Pali's Balelao village near Jodhpur, parents locked a govt primary school Monday, citing rain-induced wall damage. "We've submitted repair proposals for five years. All we get is assurance," said school committee head Gheesaram Gurjar.
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